Traffic Routing Towards Local Area Data Network Per Application Function Request

Abstract

A cellular network includes a first network component configured to i) identify a first session between a first data network and a user equipment (UE), wherein the first session corresponds to a first session management function (SMF), ii) receive data network access information (DNAI) from a network function, the DNAI corresponding to a second data network and iii) select a second SMF that is to be utilized for a second session between the second data network and the UE. The cellular network also includes a second network component configured to i) store a mapping between the DNAI and the second SMF and ii) transmit an indication of the second SMF to the first network component, wherein the first network component selects the second SMF based on the indication.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method, comprising:
 at a session management function (SMF) of a cellular network:   servicing a first session between a first data network and a user equipment (UE);   receiving a request for the first session to use a second data network; and   determining whether the SMF is capable of servicing the first session using the second data network.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the request comprises a data network access information (DNAI) for the second data network. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the request further comprises an application function (AF) identification (ID) of an AF that initiated the request and an application identifier. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein, when the SMF is not capable of servicing the first session using the second data network, the method further comprises:
 sending, to an access and mobility management function (AMF), a message indicating the SMF is not capable of servicing the first session using the second data network.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first session is a protocol data unit (PDU) session. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the message indicating the SMF is not capable of servicing the first session using the second data network comprises an indication that the PDU session is to be modified. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the message indicating the SMF is not capable of servicing the first session using the second data network comprises an indication that a new PDU session is to be established. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the message comprises a PDU session ID of the PDU session and a data network access information (DNAI) for the second data network. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the request is received from a policy control function (PCF). 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the request comprises a policy control notification. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the request is initiated by an application function (AF). 
     
     
         32 . One or more processors configured to:
 service a first session between a first data network and a user equipment (UE);   receive a request for the first session to use a second data network; and   determine whether a session management function (SMF) is capable of servicing the first session using the second data network.   
     
     
         33 . The one or more processors of  claim 32 , wherein the request comprises a data network access information (DNAI) for the second data network. 
     
     
         34 . The one or more processors of  claim 33 , wherein the request further comprises an application function (AF) identification (ID) of an AF that initiated the request and an application identifier. 
     
     
         35 . The one or more processors of  claim 32 , wherein, when the SMF is not capable of servicing the first session using the second data network, the one or more processors are further configured to:
 send, to an access and mobility management function (AMF), a message indicating the SMF is not capable of servicing the first session using the second data network.   
     
     
         36 . The one or more processors of  claim 35 , wherein the first session is a protocol data unit (PDU) session. 
     
     
         37 . The one or more processors of  claim 36 , wherein the message indicating the SMF is not capable of servicing the first session using the second data network comprises an indication that the PDU session is to be modified. 
     
     
         38 . The one or more processors of  claim 36 , wherein the message indicating the SMF is not capable of servicing the first session using the second data network comprises an indication that a new PDU session is to be established. 
     
     
         39 . The one or more processors of  claim 36 , wherein the message comprises a PDU session ID of the PDU session and a data network access information (DNAI) for the second data network. 
     
     
         40 . The one or more processors of  claim 32 , wherein the request is received from a policy control function (PCF) and the request comprises a policy control notification.